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Anniversary Shenanigans: Author Visit + Giveaway - Meghan Maslow

If you're in the U.S. or American, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving! And to everyone else who doesn't celebrate happy Thursday!

We baked a pie just for you! j/k

We here at Boy Meets Boy Reviews are thankful for each other and for you too! And we're also grateful for...new authors (hey we're a group of readers!) And one author from the slew of authors we've uni squeed for was Meghan Maslow!Her first published short story, 'A Cobra's Charm' came from Dreamspinner's A Walk on the Wild Side Anthology (our group review here). And it was hooves down one of our faves. We're so excited to have Meghan be a part of our Shenanigans.So check out her awesome flash fic...stick around for her giveaway. And have a slice of (internet) pie on us! ;)

AN ELEPHANT’S PACE

By

Meghan Maslow

There’s something ironic about riding an elephant named Lucky on the outskirts of Jaipur, when neither Remi or Badru’s families knew their sons were gay. ‘The elephant in the living room,’ an expression Badru learned during his studies in America.

The elephant’s slow, rolling gate caused Remi and Badru’s thighs to brush, and a shot of warmth consumed Badru.

“Do you like it?” Remi asked, his voice full of excitement, his body quivering. Just like when they were children.

Badru ran his fingers lightly across Remi’s forearm. A rare intimate gesture in public. Fortunately, the elephant handler’s back was to them, the rope slack as he marched resolutely alongside the elephant’s large head.

“Yes, of course. You always come up with such interesting holidays.”

“I hoped you would.” Remi’s lashes swept his cheeks, the hint of a smile on his handsome face. Even with his growing success as a Bollywood actor, Remi remained sweetly shy. It always made Badru’s heart beat faster. If only they could be open with their families and the world. . . but Badru wasn’t a dreamer like Remi. He’d gotten his degree in business administration and accounting. He’d been lucky. He’d accepted a position back in Hyderabad near his family, working for an American corporation.

In the next few months, he’d be returning to the US for a year long stay. Either Dallas or LA or Seattle. He still had to choose. If things went well, he’d relocate permanently. Badru liked America. No family on his doorstep, pestering him to find a nice girl. No worries about being arrested for who he loved. And now recently the ability for men like him—men who loved other men—to marry. Not that there weren’t problems in America too.

And most of all, no Remi.

The elephant stopped to pick at a particularly succulent patch of grass, their journey waylaid while the beast indulged. The handler’s prodding only seemed to make the beast more determined. Badru would have smiled at the man’s frustration, only his heart ached when he thought about leaving his beautiful Remi, even if it was for the best.

Remi’s career was on the rise. He’d been recognized by several fans already here in the pink city. Before long, he wouldn’t be able to go anywhere without being known. Adored. Sought after. Soon, Remi and Badru wouldn’t be able to be together. He’d be expected to court starlets and girls from good families. To marry. Raise a family.

Badru’s parents expected the same. Yet since they’d been little more than boys, he and Remi kept a tightly held secret. And a love so deep that Badru didn’t know how to say goodbye. Even when he should. If only. . .

“Ru,” Remi said, using the nickname only he called Badru. His excited movements had stilled, and he didn’t meet Badru’s eyes. “There’s something I’ve kept from you.”

Badru swallowed, a lump the size of the a betel nut lodged in his throat. And so it begins.

“Is that so?”

Silence hung between them, thicker than the humid air of the monsoons.

“I’ve been offered a small part in a television program.”

Badru blinked, his muscles going lax, his heartbeat slowing.

“Why, Remi, that’s wonderful.”

“In Vancouver. Canada. I’ve already signed the contract. It’s what I want.” Remi trapped him in his gaze, the weight of the moment not lost on either of them. “My family knows, Ru.”

Badru’s mouth dropped open, though no sound came. At that moment, the elephant jerked forward, the lumbering beast surprisingly quick. Both Badru and Remi scrambled to grab the sides of the howdah. The lead dangled in the breeze as the trainer raced to catch the escaping elephant.

She believes that life is meant to be lived. Preferably with lots of people around. Everyday is an adventure or should be.

Her love for writing gay romance came from being a sap for a happy ending, and believing everyone—regardless of orientation—should be able to find books that have them. Other favorites include travel, reading, world music, Moscow Mules, awkward dancing, dreadlocks, and her amazing (and patient) family.

Look for her latest novella, “Ride-Along,” coming out next year as part of the Dreamspinner Press “States of Love” anthology.

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